Children's camps close in Russian-occupied Crimea
The Russian authorities are reportedly evacuating children en masse from occupied Crimea. All children's camps in the region have been closed as a matter of urgency amid strikes by Ukraine's defence forces on Russian logistics.
Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency TASS; Krym.Realii (Crimea.Realities), a Radio Liberty project covering life on the occupied peninsula
Details: According to media reports, the evacuation began on 22 June.
Children from the Artek children's camp have been sent home or moved to camps in Russia's Krasnoyarsk Krai.
The local occupation authorities stated: "Crimea is simply taking a temporary summer break with regard to camps. Family holidays with children remain unchanged."
Sergei Aksyonov, the "head" of Crimea, said the decision was necessary to "ensure public safety".
Although this is a large-scale centralised removal of children from institutions in Crimea, the occupation authorities are avoiding using the word "evacuation".
Background:
- The Russian occupation authorities have declared a regional state of emergency in Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
- Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed governor of occupied Sevastopol, said earlier that the city had been left completely without electricity following a large-scale overnight drone attack on energy infrastructure on 24 June.
- Petrol stations have also begun closing across occupied Crimea, including outlets belonging to major fuel chains.
- The occupation authorities have said they cannot say when unrestricted sales of petrol and diesel will resume on the peninsula.
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